Snake River Reservoir System Filling Up Rapidly

Palisades Reservoir

The Huge Winter Snow pack in the mountains of Western Wyoming is supporting the very high runoff in the Snake River System.  All the reservoirs  on the Snake are, or shortly, will be full. 

Snake River  Water Storage System Status June 23 2017

The total water storage  in the Snake River System is approaching capacity

Palisades  Reservoir has increased from just 8% in early May to 96% as of June 24, 2017.  At this rate Palisades
will likely be full by the end of June.





As can be seen in the following graphics,  runoff is continuing high in the Snake, Grey's and Salt Rivers. With the warm weather would expect much of the snow pack to be mostly gone by the end of June, with the river levels dropping.

Warm In Star Valley but Blazing Heat to Our South.

Temperatures were near or above 80F  Monday afternoon in Star Valley and warmer yet in Southeast Idaho.

Maximum Temperatures Monday June 19 2017

However further south into Arizona, Southern Nevada and the deserts of California a dangerous heat wave is in progress.  The hottest honors go to Death Valley CA at 125F but not far behind was 123F at Needles Ca. Following is the map of the maximum temperatures across the Western States today.

Maximum Temperatures Monday June 19 2017

Las Vegas Forecast Office produced the following graphic emphasizing the extreme heat and needed awareness for those experiencing the torrid temperatures.

Little relief is expected in the very hot regions for much of the week.  In fact Tuesday will probably be even hotter than Monday most places.

Overnight Rainfall Totals for Saturday June 17 2017

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Riverton WY
631 AM MDT Sat Jun 17 2017

...Rainfall Reports...

Below are 24-hr rainfall reports ending around 6 AM Saturday. 


Location                     Amount    Time/Date     Elevation (ft.)      

...LINCOLN COUNTY...
3 NW Etna                    0.59 in   0530 AM 06/17   5676
Star Valley Ranch            0.39 in   0545 AM 06/17   6217   
Smiths Fork Near Border      0.28 in   0530 AM 06/17   6650                 
Etna                         0.28 in   0541 AM 06/17   5823                 
1 S Bedford                  0.27 in   0545 AM 06/17   6279                 
1 NW Afton                   0.26 in   0500 AM 06/17   6211                 
Afton                        0.26 in   0554 AM 06/17   6267                 
15 NE Cokeville              0.26 in   0500 AM 06/17   8470                 
Thayne                       0.24 in   0554 AM 06/17   5928                 
13 E Cokeville               0.17 in   0430 AM 06/17   7460                 
5 SSE La Barge               0.11 in   0500 AM 06/17   6530                 
Cokeville                    0.10 in   0542 AM 06/17   6191                 
               
...YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK...
Hoyt Peak                    0.89 in   0530 AM 06/17   9800                 
1 SW Canyon                  0.60 in   0549 AM 06/17   7900                 
South Entrance Ynp           0.56 in   0545 AM 06/17   6900                 
NE Entrance Yellowstone      0.47 in   0545 AM 06/17   7360                 
Lake Village                 0.31 in   0500 AM 06/17   7875                 
Lake Yellowstone             0.27 in   0556 AM 06/17   7835                 
Extreme Sw Yellowstone       0.11 in   0549 AM 06/17   6400                 
Tower Falls                  0.10 in   0515 AM 06/17   6266                 
15 WSW Mammoth               0.09 in   0549 AM 06/17   7900                 
Gardner River Nr Mammoth, Ye 0.06 in   0545 AM 06/17   5624                 
Mammoth                      0.04 in   0515 AM 06/17   6300                 


...WASHAKIE COUNTY...
12 ENE Ten Sleep             0.19 in   0514 AM 06/17   8202                 
Ten Sleep                    0.08 in   0546 AM 06/17   4470                 
Worland Airport              0.05 in   0553 AM 06/17   4245                 
15 SSW Big Trails            0.03 in   0540 AM 06/17   6554                 


...TETON COUNTY...
4 N Moose                    1.21 in   0458 AM 06/17   6730                 
7 E Moran Jct                0.91 in   0552 AM 06/17   7251                                 
Snake River At Jackson Lake  0.56 in   0545 AM 06/17   6779
2 NE Wilson                  0.54 in   0551 AM 06/17   6184                              
Moran Junction               0.39 in   0548 AM 06/17   6749                 
Jackson                      0.36 in   0545 AM 06/17   6240                 
5 S Of South Entrance Ynp    0.26 in   0445 AM 06/17   7020                 
Kelly                        0.24 in   0547 AM 06/17   6653                 
3 SSW Jackson                0.18 in   0504 AM 06/17   6158                 
17 N Alta                    0.05 in   0503 AM 06/17   6830                 
Alta                         0.01 in   0545 AM 06/17   6430                 
Hoback Junction              0.01 in   0554 AM 06/17   5928                 


...SWEETWATER COUNTY...
Farson                       0.07 in   0540 AM 06/17   6657                 
1 S Fontenelle Reservoir     0.01 in   0500 AM 06/17   6390                 


...SUBLETTE COUNTY...
2 NW Bondurant               0.85 in   0551 AM 06/17   6726                 
7 NE Pinedale                0.75 in   0526 AM 06/17   8530                 
Bondurant                    0.72 in   0500 AM 06/17   6650
6 NE Pinedale                0.71 in   0451 AM 06/17   7900                   
Boulder Lake                 0.67 in   0500 AM 06/17   7350
10 NNW Daniel                0.47 in   0430 AM 06/17   7470                                 
Pinedale                     0.44 in   0500 AM 06/17   7310                 
21 W Big Piney               0.20 in   0509 AM 06/17   8200                 
Pine Creek Above Fremont Lak 0.09 in   0545 AM 06/17   7480                 
Big Piney Airport            0.03 in   0553 AM 06/17   6974                 


...PARK COUNTY...
Pahaska                      0.88 in   0500 AM 06/17   6800                 
3 E Pahaska                  0.81 in   0457 AM 06/17   7500                 
Crandall                     0.42 in   0512 AM 06/17   6640                 
19 SSW Wapiti                0.33 in   0500 AM 06/17   6200                 
2 WSW Cody                   0.15 in   0548 AM 06/17   5167                 
10 WNW Cody                  0.10 in   0540 AM 06/17   8401                 
Cody Airport                 0.09 in   0556 AM 06/17   5100                 
20 SW Cody                   0.09 in   0552 AM 06/17   5843                 
Buffalo Bill Reservoir       0.07 in   0545 AM 06/17   5357                 
Meeteetse                    0.06 in   0543 AM 06/17   5797                 
Powell                       0.02 in   0545 AM 06/17   4386                 
5 WNW Clark                  0.02 in   0551 AM 06/17   4659                 
2 N Frannie                  0.01 in   0553 AM 06/17   4275                 
1 W Clark                    0.01 in   0542 AM 06/17   4270                 


...NATRONA COUNTY...
8 SE Evansville              0.47 in   0515 AM 06/17   5592     
Midwest                      0.33 in   0553 AM 06/17   4865                 
8 S Casper                   0.29 in   0552 AM 06/17   7740
3 WSW Mills                  0.27 in   0541 AM 06/17   5197                         
Casper - N Platte River      0.26 in   0530 AM 06/17   5100                 
Casper Airport               0.18 in   0553 AM 06/17   5320                 
16 S Hiland                  0.11 in   0510 AM 06/17   6380                 
Pathfinder Reservoir         0.03 in   0530 AM 06/17   5858                 
Independence Rock            0.01 in   0545 AM 06/17   5920                 

...JOHNSON COUNTY...
14 W Buffalo                 0.31 in   0515 AM 06/17   8400                 
7 NE Buffalo                 0.30 in   0540 AM 06/17   4370                 
8 S Story                    0.28 in   0515 AM 06/17   5279                 
18 WNW Buffalo               0.25 in   0545 AM 06/17   8580                 
Buffalo Airport              0.23 in   0553 AM 06/17   4970                 
18 NW Buffalo                0.23 in   0547 AM 06/17   8604                 
7 NW Mayoworth               0.05 in   0500 AM 06/17   5720                 
7 SW Barnum                  0.05 in   0546 AM 06/17   6440                 
3 SSE Barnum                 0.02 in   0500 AM 06/17   5075                 
Kaycee                       0.02 in   0549 AM 06/17   4681                 
2 NW Mayoworth               0.02 in   0550 AM 06/17   5404                 
10 SW Kaycee                 0.01 in   0500 AM 06/17   4900                 
17 E Kaycee                  0.01 in   0515 AM 06/17   4362                 

...HOT SPRINGS COUNTY...
Kirby                        0.01 in   0551 AM 06/17   4350                 


...FREMONT COUNTY...
19 WSW Dubois                0.64 in   0510 AM 06/17   8833                 
10 W Dubois                  0.52 in   0545 AM 06/17   8432                 
10 N Dubois                  0.42 in   0457 AM 06/17   8085                 
6 NW Dubois                  0.36 in   0515 AM 06/17   7189                 
11 W Crowheart               0.27 in   0545 AM 06/17   6520                 
10 W Fort Washakie           0.24 in   0501 AM 06/17   9235                 
Middle Fork Popo Agie River  0.22 in   0515 AM 06/17   6555                 
Crowheart                    0.15 in   0547 AM 06/17   6099                 
N. Fork Little Wind River    0.12 in   0545 AM 06/17   6120
Fort Washakie                0.09 in   0515 AM 06/17   5565                                  
10 SE Crowheart              0.09 in   0515 AM 06/17   5654                 
3 NNW Hudson                 0.09 in   0546 AM 06/17   5555                 
Riverton Airport             0.07 in   0553 AM 06/17   5525                 
9 SSE Lander                 0.07 in   0500 AM 06/17   5818                 
Lander Airport               0.06 in   0553 AM 06/17   5586                 
7 NW Lander                  0.05 in   0551 AM 06/17   5797                 
N Fork Popo Agie River       0.05 in   0500 AM 06/17   5760                 
8 W South Pass City          0.02 in   0550 AM 06/17   8120                 
7 SW Muddy Gap               0.02 in   0550 AM 06/17   7380                 
9 SW Lander                  0.02 in   0500 AM 06/17   7085                 
3 NNE South Pass City        0.02 in   0500 AM 06/17   8540                 


...BIG HORN COUNTY...
30 E Greybull                0.43 in   0458 AM 06/17   8898                 
Lovell                       0.09 in   0554 AM 06/17   3830                 
5 ENE Hyattville             0.09 in   0552 AM 06/17   5670                 
Greybull Airport             0.04 in   0553 AM 06/17   3935                 
9 ENE Greybull               0.04 in   0500 AM 06/17   4205                 
Basin                        0.02 in   0515 AM 06/17   3821 

June Snow for Western Wyoming Tonight

Snow level in Salt Range Monday afternoon

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Riverton WY
326 PM MDT Mon Jun 12 2017

...Late Season Accumulating Snow Expected for Western Wyoming
Late tonight and Tuesday...

.An unseasonably strong late Spring storm will produce significant
snowfall across the Western Wyoming Mountains late tonight and
into Tuesday. The low pressure center will be tracking northeast
across Yellowstone Park tonight. This low will be producing
numerous showers and thunderstorms this evening. Sharply colder
moisture laden air will be circulating around the back side of
this low as the low tracks northeast into Montana. This much
colder air will lower snow levels all the way down to the valley
floor at times by Tuesday morning. Snow amounts will likely range
anywhere from from 4 to 12 inches above 7500 feet along with some
isolated amounts of up to 14 inches in the Tetons by Tuesday
evening. 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected to accumulate in the
Western Wyoming Valleys by 12 noon Tuesday before melting off
Tuesday afternoon.


Star Valley-
Including the cities of Afton, Alpine, Star Valley Ranch,
and Thayne
326 PM MDT Mon Jun 12 2017

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
NOON MDT TUESDAY...

The National Weather Service in Riverton has issued a Winter
Weather Advisory for the Star Valley, which is in effect from
midnight tonight to noon MDT Tuesday.

* TIMING...Numerous rain showers and thunderstorms will begin to
  mix with snow after midnight. The showers and thunderstorms will
  transition to more of a steady precipitation after midnight.
  Episodes of all snow will likely produce 1 to 3 inches of
  snowfall by 12 noon Tuesday. Mixed snow and rain will become
  mostly rain for the rest of Tuesday afternoon.

* SNOW TOTALS...1 to 3 inches with most of the snow in the
  northern portion of the valley.

* MAIN IMPACT...Highways will become slush covered late tonight
  and Tuesday morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A winter weather advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered
and slick roads with limited visibilities. Slow down, and allow
extra time to reach your destination. Check the latest road
conditions at wyoroad.info or by dialing 5 1 1.

Flooding Potential to Continue to Increase into the Weekend Western Wyoming

Hydrologic Outlook
National Weather Service Riverton WY
1240 PM MDT Wed Jun 7 2017

...Increased snowmelt runoff will increase the severity of flooding
of creeks and rivers during the upcoming weekend and through early
next week...

...Peak flows and stages along the Big and Little Wind Rivers by
this weekend...

...Snake River near Jackson still expected to crest near 26,000 cfs by
this weekend...

...Peak flow of 17,500 cfs forecasted along the Green River near
LaBarge by Monday morning of next week...

Afternoon temperatures at the 9,000 foot elevation are expected to
be near 70 to 75 degrees Wednesday through Friday. Morning low
temperatures will also be well above the frost temperature of 37
degrees Wednesday through Saturday. Windy and very warm mountain
temperatures expected over the mountains on Thursday and Friday.

Accelerated snowmelt runoff will cause continued increases in
stream and river levels through Saturday and Sunday. Very high flows
are expected along creeks and rivers over the Wind, Green, Shoshone,
and Sweetwater Basins by the weekend. Flooding of low lying areas will
become more severe and widespread along creeks and rivers by the end
of the week.

The Little and Big Wind Rivers are expected to crest by this weekend.
Peak stage at the Big Wind River at Riverton is expected to be near 12.1
feet which will be above the record peak stage of 11.8 feet set in July
of 2011. The Little Wind River near Riverton is still expected to peak below
the record stage of 11.9 feet set in 2010. The Snake River near
Jackson is expected to crest near 26,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) by this
weekend---which will be the second highest peak flow since 1976. Peak flow of
17,500 cfs is expected at the Green River near LaBarge by Monday morning
of next week--which makes it the third highest flow recorded since 1947.

Flood Watch Snake River until June 10th

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Riverton WY
1228 PM MDT Tue Jun 6 2017

...Flood Watch continues for the Snake River and its main
tributaries through Saturday afternoon...

...Flood Watch continues for the North and South Forks of the
Shoshone River Basin through Saturday afternoon...

.Very warm afternoon and morning temperatures with windy
conditions over elevations below 10,000 feet Thursday and Friday
will accelerate snowmelt runoff. Expect sharp increases in creek
and river levels Friday morning through Saturday afternoon.
Continued flooding of low lying areas on smaller creeks and
streams is expected through Saturday. Minor flooding is also
forecasted Friday morning through Saturday afternoon along main
stem rivers to include the Snake and the North/South Forks of the
Shoshone.


Absaroka Mountains-Jackson Hole-
Including the city of Jackson
1228 PM MDT Tue Jun 6 2017

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

The Flood Watch continues for

* A portion of northwest Wyoming, including the following areas,
  Absaroka Mountains and Jackson Hole.

* Through Saturday afternoon

* Very warm afternoon and morning temperatures with windy
  conditions over elevations below 10,000 feet Thursday and
  Friday will accelerate snowmelt runoff. Expect sharp increases
  in creek and river levels Friday morning through Saturday
  afternoon.

* Along the Snake River Basin: Flooding of low lying areas is
  expected on smaller creeks and streams to include Pacific Creek,
  Buffalo Fork, and the Gros Ventre River. Inflows into Jackson
  Lake could reach 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Friday
  and Saturday mornings. Minor flooding is also expected along the
  Snake River from Moose to near Jackson Friday morning through
  Saturday afternoon. The flow along the Gros Ventre River near
  Kelly is expected to increase to 6,000 to 6,500 cfs by Saturday
  morning. The flow along the Snake River near Jackson is expected
  to peak near 26,000 cfs by Saturday afternoon.

* Along the Shoshone River Basin: The North Fork of the Shoshone
  River at Wapiti is forecasted to rise to near flood stage by
  Saturday morning. The South Fork of the Shoshone near Valley is
  forecasted to rise to near flood stage by early Saturday
  morning. Expect minor flooding at both locations.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should continue to monitor hydrological and weather forecasts
and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas
prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should
flooding develop.

It is important to know where you are relative to streams, rivers,
and creeks which can become killers during high flows. Campers and
boaters need to stay away from streams and rivers along the Snake
River Basin through next week.